Jason Caldwell Writes About Auburn Football Recruiting And the Start Of Baseball Practice for the Tigers

Jason Caldwell

02/01/2016

The Tigers are heading into the stretch run for football recruiting and just getting started with full squad preseason baseball drills.

Tigers Have A Shot

If I had to wager I would still say Ben Davis winds up at Alabama, but there is no question that the five-star linebacker is giving the Auburn Tigers a very long look and is considering them strongly. Thoroughly enjoying his official visit and spending time with close friends such as Marlon Davidson, Kyle Davis, John Broussard, Tre Threat and others, Davis had another very good trip on the Auburn campus.

Perhaps the most important thing for Davis was getting his parents back on campus along with his grandmother. While Gordo is just a very short drive from Tuscaloosa, Davis said his family is giving him the opportunity to choose the school that is right for him and that even includes Auburn although his father, Wayne, was on of Alabama's all-time best players.

“I’m going to get back home and sit down with my family and pray about it and see which one is the best for me and not where anybody else wants me to go,” Davis said. “They were amazed (his family) and my grandma was there, too. This was her first time down there in a long time. They were amazed at how nice it is and the family atmosphere and just overall campus life.

“They always tell me all the time that it’s my decision and not anybody else,” he added. “Whatever I choose they’re going to be behind me. They tell me that all the time.”

The Sage Of David Marshall And What It Means

Even though David Marshall is still committed to Auburn there is no question that this one is going to be a tough battle for the Tigers down the stretch with Georgia making a strong push. While Auburn is going to continue to try to land the defensive lineman until signing day, the Bulldogs may be the team to beat in the end for him.

While that could be a blow, if Auburn lands five-star defensive tackle that would be a very good trade with Brown probably more of an early impact guy. Both have the potential to be starters on the next level and for Auburn landing both would be huge, but the important thing for the Tigers right now is to add at least one player on the inside to go along with early enrollee Antwuan Jackson

Graduate Transfer A Possibility

We have talked about Auburn’s plans to likely hold one spot in this class for a possible graduate transfer and the player who could fit the bill is Rhode Island offensive tackle Tyler Catalina. A starter for three seasons for the Rams, the last two at left tackle, the 6-5, 317 Catalina visited Florida over the weekend and is expected to visit Auburn on Feb. 19.

Despite Auburn’s efforts to sign a tackle in this year’s class the prospects of starting a true freshman probably aren’t very good, but a player like Catalina is someone who could step in and challenge for playing time immediately for Hand. With both starting tackles leaving for the NFL Draft, Auburn’s opportunity for playing time has to be very appealing for Catalina with Avery Young and Shon Coleman finished with their days as AU players.

Recruiting For The Future

There were several top prospects from the 2017 class in Auburn on Saturday, but one of the most impressive was defensive back A.J. Terrell from Westlake High in Atlanta. The alma mater of Cam Newton, Westlake is a program that has had some good players in the past and Terrell could be the next star.

Something that allows him to be such an impact guy already is his size. At 6-2 and nearly 180 pounds, Terrell has the length to be a true shutdown corner in the mold of Auburn freshman Carlton Davis and has the Tigers very high on his list after having the chance to sit down with new Auburn assistant coach Wesley McGriff.

Talking Baseball

It was a really good weather weekend for the opening of baseball practices for Butch Thompson’s first Auburn team and several players stood out as the Tigers begin the process of getting ready for the 2016 season. Based on the first three days there is little doubt that junior center fielder Anfernee Grier is primed to have a huge season. Bigger and more physical, Grier is a more polished player and that should allow him to take another step forward this season.

On the mound several guys looked good, including returning starter Cole Lipscomb and junior college transfers such as Ben Braymer and Gabe Klobosits, but the guy who impressed as much as anyone was true freshman Casey Mize. Throwing in the low 90’s and reaching as high as 94 miles per hour on Saturday, Mize is a guy that could be an immediate impact player on the mound for the Tigers .